One of many stories not covered. If there's news value in it, the only news value in it -- one that this Shi'ite propagandist Haidar Sumeri will never grasp -- is the strides that the Iraqi government will take to protect oil while the citizens are left to fend for themselves.

This morning, Arwa Damon (CNN -- link is video and text) reported on the situation in Anbar Province's Ramadi noting that deputy
provincial council head Falih Essawi is issuing "a dire, dire warning"
as the Islamic State advances.
Arwa Damon: ISIS forces, it seems, early this morning managing to
enter the outskirts of the city of Ramadi from the east. This now means
that ISIS is fighting on the east. ISIS advanced from the north --
taking over three towns from the outskirts there over the weekend. The
routes to the south already blocked off. The city basically under siege
except for the western portion that is still controlled by forces, by
government forces, but that is wavering as well.

Pentagon officials stopped short of saying the city was on the brink
of falling. But they didn’t sound confident it would hold, either.
“The
situation in Ramadi remains fluid and, as with earlier assessments, the
security situation in the city is contested. The ISF [Iraqi Security
Forces] continue to conduct clearing operations against ISIL-held areas
in the city and in the surrounding areas of Al Anbar province,” U.S.
Central Command spokesman Army Maj. Curt Kellogg, a said in a statement,
using the government’s preferred acronym for ISIS. The Coalition
continues to coordinate with ISF forces and provide operational support
as requested.”

AFP's Jean Marc Mojon and Karim Abou Merhil sound out various Middle East experts about the prospects for victory in Anbar. We'll note this section:
“Anbar, and especially Fallujah, is like Asterix’s village,” said
Victoria Fontan, a professor at American University Duhok Kurdistan,
referring to an unconquerable town in the French comic book series.
The
province is packed with experienced fighters and while some Sunni
tribes have allied with the government, others are fighting alongside
ISIS or sitting on the fence.
Local knowledge is seen as key to
retaking territory along the fertile strip lining the Euphrates, where
ISIS has inflicted severe military setbacks to the police and army since
June.

Iraqi Spring MC notes this takes place as calls for reinforcements of government troops to be sent to . . . Baiji.

That's in northern Iraq, Salahuddin Province. These reinforcements are
being sent in to protect . . . Well, not people. There are people in
Ramadi who need protection. But the government forces going to Baiji
are going to protect an oil refinery.

How did that work out?

Does anyone remember?

Oh, yeah, the Islamic State seized Ramadi -- which they still control today.

But, hey, that refinery in Baiji, that oil refinery is safe.

Iraq Times reports the reaction to citizens in Basra which was to protest Haider's visit. The activists noted that he traveled all the way to Basra to reassure Big Oil but he did not meet with a single local protester to address the concerns that have had them pouring into the streets for the last weeks. The report notes that the British and US Ambassadors to Iraq had lobbied Haider to visit Basra to reassure Big Oil. As Iraq Times also notes, just north of Basra is where a protester -- protesting against Big Oil -- was shot dead by security forces working for yet another foreign oil company in Iraq.

There was a time when -- even under the despicable Nouri al-Maliki -- if foreigners killed an Iraqi citizen, it would be time for immediate arrests and a kangaroo trial.

But in Haider's Iraq, foreign oil companies can kill protesters and the government doesn't even publicly object.

Protests continued today, Aref Mohammed, Saif Hameed, Stephen Kalin and Gareth Jones (Reuters) report:Protesters demanding
government reforms have cut off road access to Iraq's southern
Umm Qasr commodities port, officials said on Saturday, hampering
activity at the harbour which receives grain shipments and heavy
equipment used in the oil industry.Dozens of demonstrators, who have closed the port's two main
gates since Friday morning, set up tents overnight and refused
to let trucks pass or employees enter the facility, said Ammar
al-Safi, a spokesman for the state-run General Company for Ports
of Iraq.

MEE adds:The
demonstrations came in response to calls initiated by the civil
movement against corruption and called for swift action to be taken
against corruption and “corrupt” government officials they hold
responsible for continued electricity outages, water cuts and rising
unemployment rates, reported Aljazeera.Protesters also demanded
the reformation of the judiciary and the elimination of sectarianism
throughout government institutions, reported Aljazeera.The
protests are a continuation of demonstrations that started in July as
hundreds took to Tahrir Square in Baghdad calling on the government to
meet their demands. The protests have continued on a weekly basis,
usually erupting on Fridays.

All Iraq News quotes Ammar al-Hakim declaring, "The reforms must be comprehensive and should respond to the citizens' demands. We will defend our country with our souls and blood to prevent anyone who attempts to steal achievements."

About Me

We do not open attachments. Stop e-mailing them. Threats and abusive e-mail are not covered by any privacy rule. This isn't to the reporters at a certain paper (keep 'em coming, they are funny). This is for the likes of failed comics who think they can threaten via e-mails and then whine, "E-mails are supposed to be private." E-mail threats will be turned over to the FBI and they will be noted here with the names and anything I feel like quoting.
This also applies to anyone writing to complain about a friend of mine. That's not why the public account exists.